Issue 27 - July 09
This Is Not A Book
Robert E. Neale
Available from www.hermeticpress.com
Price: $47 (approx £32)
OK, let’s get serious. Readers familiar with the action
series ‘24’ will understand how you put your life on hold when the latest
series becomes available on
In his introduction Neale explains ‘there are many
effects ahead that are not tricks…because I am more interested in magic than I
am in tricks’. Neale urges the reader to ‘perform something besides tricks.
Doing something other than tricks, in addition to tricks, might change both you
and your audience.’ It is this thinking that makes this a magic book and not a
book of tricks.
The magic in this book is presented in 7 chapters. One
section doesn’t contain any tricks at all. So why would this appeal to
magicians? Precisely because it is a book about wonder. Upon studying these
presentations, the reader quickly begins to understand that Neale’s stories
are from a rich variety of sources, these in turn offering a little as to the
interests of the performer himself. Neale dares to create pieces of magic around
subjects which are deeper than the magic itself may ever be. And many of these
presentations take guts. Would you be comfortable presenting a piece for several
minutes which may contain only one actual magical happening? Fans of the current
trend of performing 60 magic moments in one routine will find nothing to hide
behind here. Neale’s routines ask that we share ourselves openly with our
audiences, questioning our beliefs, leaving a lasting and wondrous moment.
Perhaps that is the job of the real magician? And that’s what I personally
enjoy about his work – he makes you think about your magic, how you perform it
and, perhaps more importantly, why you choose the tricks you do.
This Is Not A Book contains over 30 excursions into wonder,
surprise and mystery, with pieces designed for close-up workers, motivational
speakers and those who aren’t afraid of mixing some meaning in with their
magic and entertainment. Each routine is beautifully illustrated by Earle Oakes.
Magic can be superficial, a requirement to fulfil a need
which has no importance placed on it at all. Neale’s pieces of strange demand
your attention, you cannot simply pass them by.
I’m a fan of Neale’s work. At the same time, I am angry
with Neale for changing my plans that night. JF
What’s Hot: Not a single ‘pick a card’ card trick in
this book
What’s Not: Too many magicians will pass this by
Star Rating: *****
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